Greyhounds as pets should be muscular, with an athletic-looking body. Greyhounds Only is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Some younger greyhounds may become available if they do not do well racing or do not seem to be interested in racing. Greyhound-like dogs are depicted in temple drawings dating to 6000 B.C. They are the fastest dog in the world. The National Greyhound Association, which registers all greyhounds for racing, doesn’t keep track of the dogs after they leave the track. Some “retired” greyhounds are put up for adoption, others are sent to breeding farms, and the fate of many is unknown. Greyhounds were popular among the royalty and nobility of England in the nineteenth century. When studying form all regular 'race-goers' will pay particular attention to the 'breeding lines' of all competing greyhounds and should always note when a former 'top class bitch' has produced offspring to a 'classic winning sire'. Most greyhounds do better at one distance or the other, but a few greyhounds are equally good at both distances. It will do her no harm, but she will not run as fast as she did before the season. Male greyhounds generally stand 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 85 pounds. DO walk your greyhound in the early morning or evening. Greyhounds are an ancient and noble breed. Greyhounds love to go for walks so do not skimp on this part of the schedule. The Greyhound will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. How long do they live? I suspect so. My uncle used to race Greyhounds and when he gave up the kennels he kept his remaining dogs as pets,sadly the last two have both gone now but Rosie was 15 and Ron was 14.Both went downhill very quick and within 4 weeks of eachother. In fact, a racing Greyhound needs careful medical attention to ensure it is always at optimum health to get a guarantee of peak performance. Greyhounds have never been exposed to other breeds of dogs. Racing. If she's a race bitch, you can keep her in work and race her if you wish. Do not feed these products regularly though, as the salt content is far too high. Greyhounds are sight hounds. Most greyhounds are politely reserved with other dogs and display a non-aggressive attitude. Greyhound racing, or dog racing as it is often generically referred to, is one of the oldest 'sports' there is. Their long legs and narrow, streamlined bodies make Greyhounds racers by design. Many greyhounds race only a few races, some do not race at all, and a few that are very competitive race two years or longer. ), they need no more exercise than any other dog. GREYHOUNDS. Most greyhounds are retired between the ages of 2 and 4 years. While Greyhounds do love to run (and it's thrilling to watch! Greyhounds have a long life expectancy for a large breed. The greyhounds who do make it to the track are put at significant risk of sustaining serious injuries, such as broken hocks or legs, or head trauma, during training and racing. Greyhounds do not know how to defend themselves except by flight and will often "freeze" if attacked. The slender, long-legged sighthound hunts by spotting the movement of a prey animal across a vast distance, then running the animal down with lightning speed. Greyhounds are usually considered to reach their prime around 30-36 months, although some consider the difference between 21 and 30 months to be good for backing sprint dogs. A nice long walk on the leash three or four times a week is recommended (and it's good for humans, too! Greyhounds have a sensitive nature, and gentle commands work best as training methods. So what do Greyhounds as pets look like? Some greyhounds that have done well racing or have been used for breeding purposes can become available between the ages of six and nine. Retired racing greyhounds are very tolerant with children. ).You could try to find a fenced area to let your Greyhound really stretch out. They are generally long, narrow, and streamlined, in both their heads and bodies. There are two types, which vary somewhat in size: Racing Greyhounds are usually 25 to 29 inches tall, and show Greyhounds are slightly larger, at 26 to 30 inches in height. 100% of each donation goes into fulfilling our mission whether it's providing medical care and space in our kennels or by supporting education and outreach to raise awareness about these wonderful dogs. The greyhound has been in existence for over 4,000 years as a pet and a hunter. A Day In The Life Of The Racing Greyhound . Greyhounds, kept in tip-top shape, are remarkably consistent athletes. It is relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will do. Racing greyhounds can be bought directly from registered owners. Purchasing a racing greyhound allows you to get in on the racing action sooner, with the greyhound already named, and already raced. They do well in families with children, as long as the children are taught to treat the dog properly with politeness and appropriate respect. Males weigh between 65 to 85 pounds and stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder. If they start to limp or look uncomfortable, check to see if there are any objects stuck in between the pads of their paws. The most common distance for a race in the United States is 5/16th of a mile. How old are retired racing greyhounds and how long do they live? Greyhounds are bred for speed, (in fact, these lanky, long-legged dogs are the fastest breed of canid in the world, with the ability to reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour), but that doesn’t mean that an adopted Greyhound is just going to zip around your house all day. The typical life expectancy of a greyhound is 12-14 years. Retired racers are typically 2 – 4 years of age. They are the only breed of dog mentioned in the Bible (Proverbs 30:29-31; King James version), and were written about by Homer, Chaucer, and Shakespeare. How long does a Greyhound race? It is through the generosity of our donors and volunteers that we are able to find homes for as many retired racing greyhounds as possible. However, they do tend to be sensitive to touch and could become startled if touched unexpectedly. Up to 200 dogs are reported injured during official races each week. To run is a greyhound’s basic instinct. How big is a Greyhound? If a child becomes overbearing, the dog will usually walk away rather than snap or growl. The Life Of A Racing Greyhound. by Clifton Gray. Greyhounds are quiet, well-mannered, and very easy to live with. Greyhounds can race on average of four to five years. Some greyhounds do not qualify for racing after initial training. They normally live 12 to 14 years. They do not know cats. How big do greyhounds get? They know other Greyhounds but may be perplexed, frightened, or simply ignore other breeds. They can see clearly up to 1 kilometre and have amazing peripheral vision of 270 degrees. All greyhounds less than 24 months old are classified as puppies and will at approximately 12 months old be introduced to the idea of racing, after initial schooling trials most juvenile dogs that achieve a 'grading in time' will make their race debuts between 15 - 18 months of age. Greyhounds are lithe sight hounds, bred to run and hunt. Do greyhounds make good pets? Greyhounds are sensitive to the cold but do well in cold climates as long as they wear a coat outside. The breed's history traces back to the times of the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, who probably had Greyhounds or similar dogs. The Greyhound’s heart can beat five times per second during a race. To purchase a greyhound that is already racing is generally more expensive, with a city class greyhound available for around $10,000 to $20,000. A racing Greyhound has the highest blood volume compared to body size of any athlete (11.4%, compared to 10.5% for a racehorse, 9.5% for a human sprinter and 7.2% for an average pet dog). They all have a preferred line or position on the track where they will … During a 30 second race, a Greyhound circulates its entire blood volume four to five times. If adopting an ex-racer it is worth keeping in mind their prey drive has been honed for years and they could be a serious chaser of cats and smaller dogs. Greyhounds are used to traveling and adapt quickly to riding in cars. Greyhounds are usually 2-5 years old when they are retired, though sometimes we have older dogs available for adoption. We do not normally advertise on this site, but this is for a good cause . They are gentle by nature and have always had a strong relationship with humans. Built for speed and agility, they can reach top speeds of up to 70kph during a race. During the summer months, the dog’s day will start at 5:00 or 5:30 AM to try and beat the heat as much as possible. But when they are racing, they are more prone to injuries and you need to prepare for such things too. The rest are typically retired from racing by 3 – 4 years of age. I have two retired racers, both of whom fractured their legs on the track (one in training we think). If you are looking to back a dog over a long distance, such as a marathon race, experienced dogs, usually over three or even four years, are a more sensible choice. With the ability to run at speeds upwards of 45 miles per hour, the Greyhound is the fastest dog breed in the world. Greyhounds are one of the healthiest breeds of dogs. Their sleek body, long legs, flexible spine and thin skin make them very aerodynamic. Occasionally, we have also received older females, 7 – 8 years of age, that were used for breeding stock. Females weigh 50 to 65 pounds and stand 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Always walk your Greyhound on his leash and keep him close to you during the walk. Greyhounds are sight dogs, so they can see up to a half-mile away and will likely run at 45 miles per hour if they spot a small animal or an object from far away. Male greyhounds can be better with children than female greyhounds – females can sometimes regard children as puppies. Greyhounds live most happily as pets in quiet environments. Greyhound racing in the modern sense of the term began around 1912 with the first circular track being opened in 1919. You will have to stop trialing or racing her when she comes into milk, whether she has milk or not. Your bitch should stop bleeding after about 2 weeks, though some young bitches may go longer. DO work your adult greyhound for 1.5km-3km for the first few weeks and work them up to 4km-8km over time. Well cared for and free of injury, they are able to perform at their highest levels, race after race, for extended periods of time. Do not let this dog off the leash unless in a safe area. Racing itself goes back to 19th Century and Greyhounds were used long before this for coursing and hunting. DO check your greyhound’s paws while out for a walk or run. :: There is a homeopathic remedy for appetite loss called Arsen Alb, which can be obtained from online homeopathy suppliers. They have intelligent eyes, and small floppy ears that will prick up when they’re excited! This breed is known for its sleek, noble appearance. The Greyhound, though, is a unique sighthound developed more for track racing than for hunting. How long do Greyhounds live? There are are couple of behaviors that they both exhibit that make me think they remember their younger days. This remedy has been useful with our own pet greyhounds who have had occasional bouts of appetite loss. 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